A Villainess For The Tyrant

Estian? Could she have misheard him? Cecile drew closer, doubting her ears. But as if to mock her doubts, the man opened his mouth again.

Im sorry. Im sorry, Estian. But you should know I wouldve died if I failed to complete you he muttered.

She hadnt heard wrong after all. The man was certainly saying the name Estian. There was no reason to doubt that he was referring to anyone else butherEstiannot in this world. Children originally christened with the name Estian had their names changed, with parents fearing that sharing a name with the emperor would only incur disaster.

First things first, Cecile needed to get an explanation from this man. Surveying their surroundings, she didnt sense any other presence aside from him. Feeling emboldened with the blue phoenix in her arsenal, Cecile felt confident shed be able to restrain the man if need be. Shifting her grip on the scepter, which could substitute as a readily-available weapon, she inched towards him.

Excuse me, she began.

Ah-ahhh! Wh-who are you! The man screamed and retreated in fright, as if a ghost had spoken to him.

Theres something I want to ask. You mentioned Estian a moment ago. Who were you referring to?

Who who might you be? The frightened mans expression eased up after glimpsing Ceciles face. Is that all you want? Do you want to know anything else? C-could you come a little closer?

Cecile noticed a shift in the mans demeanor, and thought,Oh boy.She could see the indecent look coloring his eyes as he stared at her.

Yeah, if this is to be my end, then before I die I may as well the man muttered.

Sic him, Cecile ordered the blue phoenix. With a cluck, the blue phoenix reverted to its original form, sans the flames, and swooped at the man.Fwip! Smack! Flap! Slap!The air was filled with the sounds of the blue phoenix thrashing the man. When the man began yelping from the attack, Cecile added, I think it would be better if you made him shut up too.

The blue phoenix faithfully carried out Ceciles orders by stuffing its long tail feathers into the mans mouth, before zealously resuming its pecking. It wasnt long before the man was on his knees, bowing in front of Cecile.

I apologize! Im sorry! I mustve lost my head for a second there, with death facing right at me!

Cecile didnt bother to question him on what hed intended to do before he diedhis answer would obviously rot her ears and be a waste of time. Answer me. The Estian you were referring to

Emperor Estian of the empire, of course. Who else could it be? the man answered puzzledly.

But why were you apologizing? What wrong did you commit against His Majesty?

Well, who are you? Youre obviously not from the lab. Its definitely my first time seeing you the man muttered, narrowing his eyes, before turning towards the window. His Majesty, you say? Are you from the empire? I suppose you must be. Who would address Estian that way here?

His Majestys eminent name isnt for the likes of you to call without permission, Cecile frowned and snapped. For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of disgust whenever the man uttered Estians name.

The man watched the displeasure flash across Ceciles face, before standing to point out the window. Can you still address him as His Majesty, even after looking at that? He was pointing at the wriggling black thing outside.

What are you talking about? What does that have to do with

Thatthingoutside is the emperor youre talking aboutEmperor Estian of the empire!

Thats His Majesty? How could that be? However, the man didnt seem to be lying, even as the madness in his tone began to rise.

Yes!Thatis Estians true form Woah! Hey!

The man barely dodged the scepter that was swung in his direction, and it struck the ground with a resounding smack. Cecile thought she saw the jewel attached to the scepter fly off, but that wasnt important now.

You scum! What did you all do to His Majesty! Cecile screamed, gnashing her teeth ferociously. If the thing outside really was Estian, then! The man had stepped back in shock, but Ceciles onslaught wasnt over.

Speak!Bang!Properly!Crunch!What have you done to my husband!

Cecile continued to swing the scepter relentlessly. Each swing that missed smashed against the floor and walls. Her hand was growing numb from the pain of each impact, but she didnt pay it any heed. How could that terrible thing out there be Estian?

Husband?

Thats right! Hes my husband!

Youre Empress Cecile! The man suddenly began nodding in understanding and burst into maniacal laughter. Hahahaha! Unbelievable! To think that you were here! Yes! I can live if I have you Grand Duke Farus had said so that Estian accepted a woman for the first time!

There was a strange glint in his eyes, and Cecile retreated at the sudden change in the mans atmosphere. His behavior was increasingly strange, and she could tell he was growing more deranged by the minute. His mood had swung from terror, to joy, to ecstasy in a matter of seconds.